I'm comfortable being Catholic... but curious about Eastern Orthodox... I like tradition, but which?

Question

The idea is new to me... what religion, what faith...would I like to live out in my life? I like the Catholic faith, and feel there are many Biblical and historical reasons what I'm a Roman Catholic... but Eastern Orthodox actually sounds very similar.

What are the main differences, and if posible... (i know many people have opinions) which is right? & why?

Answer 1

The Orthodox church are schismatics. They separated from the Roman catholic church in 1054. They do not accept the divinely instituted authority of the Vicar of Christ (the Pope) , celibacy in priests, and the insertion of the ' filioque clause' in the Nicene Creed among other factors.

In the Orthodox tradition, the line in question reads "We believe in the Holy Spirit ... who proceeds from the Father", while in the Catholic tradition it reads "We believe in the Holy Spirit ... who proceeds from the Father and the Son". It is most often referred to as simply "filioque" or "the filioque." Difference of a few words but a big difference in meaning. The Catholic church would rather lose a big chunk of its followers than compromise on a few words that distort truth.

If you like tradition you may want to consider attending the Latin Tridentine Mass offered by the Roman Catholic church at certain locations.

Answer 2

I am a Christian as well, so hopefully I can be of some help to you.

Eastern Orthodox is very similar to Roman Catholic in many theological respects, but one could consider Eastern Orthodox to be a bit more straight-forward. Due to the numerous political changes and world-events that have created and shaped the Catholic church, it can be a bit more confusing than Eastern Orthodox, and also a bit more theologically distant from the original Christians. However, I wouldn't necessarily put one church above the other, as I don't have enough of a background in studying either church.

Many people have not studied the origins of their preferred Christian churches, so I would encourage you to do so if you haven't already. Just be sure to study from unbiased sources. I'm sure you will find the results surprising and probably very helpful.

I would also recommend that you expand your options beyond simply Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox. While you may return to the same church at which you started, it's best to leave all options open. If you really want a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, the best way is to research it. One book I found really interesting on the subject of Christian theology is titled "Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up" by David Bercot. And obviously studying your Bible will provide you with a good foundation in the Christian faith, but beware those with agendas that aim to twist it. Read it on your own, and spend time in prayer.

Hope that's helpful to you!

Answer 3

Both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches were united in one Church for 1000 years and are 98% identical in their religious DNA.However, there are differences such as: ecclesiology(what is the church?)
Is the Church one centrally united organization with one real temporary head( Catholic and the Pope,Successor of Peter, as Supreme Primate) or a federation of national churches that are self-headed and autonomous ( Orthodox)? Can the Pope issue infallible decisionsunder certain conditions about issues of faith and morals(Cath,Yes;Orth,No).
Who can call and define an authoritative General Church Council(Catholic,the Pope and his bishops,Orthodox,the Emperor and his patriarchs and bishops) to define church teaching?
doctrinal ( How do we view God?)
Does the Spirit proceed from the Father alone (Orthodox) or from the Father and the Son as from One Principle(Catholic)?
Should Mary ,Mother of God, be dogmatically acclaimed Immaculate Conception and Assumed into Heaven( Catholic,Yes;Orthodox,No)?
There differences of ritual are within the Orth and Cath communions as well as without for there are "Greek Rite" Catholics and "Western Rite "Orthodox.
I chose the Catholic because there is one actual Catholic or universal "denomination" and not a large number that may or may not be incommunion with each other( usually for political,historical, ethnic and personality reasons,as far as I can see) and ,as a whole, the catholic Church does not seem to be under"ethnic and nationalist captivities' the way her close sisters of the Orthodox Churches still are. I also think that the Catholic teaching on the indissolubility and permanence of real valid marriage is what Jesus taught more than what the Orthodox teach.
I pray that the Orthodox(including the Oriental and Assyrian Orthodox) and the Catholics get closer together.

Answer 4

Eastern Orthodox is considered in line with Apostolic Succession, they just don't believe in the authority of the Pope. If you are curious about Eastern Orthodoxy why not try Eastern Catholic Churches. They are almost identical to Eastern Orthodox Churches and at one time were Eastern Orthodox Churches, they just came back to the Catholic Church. Examples Are the Ukrainian-Greek Catholic Churches, Assyrian Catholic Churches, and others. Do some research and you will be sure to find at least ONE in your area. Most Roman Catholic Church diocese will know of Eastern Churches so try contacting them.

Answer 5

They are very similar - almost inseparable. There are some minor theological differences, like a twist on original sin between the two, but overall they're the same unless you scrutinize them intensely.

The Eastern Orthodox doesn't recognize papal authority. And apparently they don't believe in purgatory. And up until recently, Catholicism did everything in Latin, while Orthodoxy used vernacular languages.

Answer 6

In addition to the information above about the Eastern Orthodox Church which is no longer in communion with the Pope, there are other very traditional Eastern Rite Catholic Churches that are in communion with Rome that you might like to explore:

Eastern Rite Catholic Churches include:

Alexandrian liturgical tradition
+ Coptic Catholic Church
+ Ethiopic Catholic Church

Antiochian (Antiochene or West-Syrian) liturgical tradition
+ Maronite Church
+ Syrian Catholic Church
+ Syro-Malankara Catholic Church

Armenian liturgical tradition:
+ Armenian Catholic Church

Chaldean or East Syrian liturgical tradition:
+ Chaldean Catholic Church
+ Syro-Malabar Church

Byzantine (Constantinopolitan) liturgical tradition:
+ Albanian Byzantine Catholic Church
+ Belarusian Greek Catholic Church
+ Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church
+ Byzantine Church of the Eparchy of Križevci
+ Greek Byzantine Catholic Church
+ Hungarian Greek Catholic Church
+ Italo-Albanian Catholic Church
+ Macedonian Greek Catholic Church
+ Melkite Greek Catholic Church
+ Romanian Church
+ Russian Byzantine Catholic Church
+ Ruthenian Catholic Church
+ Slovak Greek Catholic Church
+ Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

The Catholic faith isn't the only faith. There are a number of religions that have self belief that they've the only good faith; through fact of this in the event that they are good Catholic's bypass to hell for no longer following the meant good faith. Wow extremely some human beings spoke back rapid in this one. Catholics have self belief that any one who does not stick to their ideals is going to hell so that's merely honest.

Answer 8

The Orthodox are in schism with the Church of Christ and they are caught in a time-warp since they only follow the first 7 ecumenical councils.
They do have beautiful liturgies though.

Answer 9

I am Catholic as well.They split in the great schism due to their differences in practice. God, I studied this just last year in theology class...but I think one difference is the Pope.